Stable protein solution formulation containing high concentration of an anti-vegf antibody

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides anti-VEGF antibodies formulated as high concentration, aqueous pharmaceutical compositions, suitable for an injection, preferably an intravitreal injection. The aqueous pharmaceutical compositions are useful for delivery of a high concentration of the antibody active ingredient to a patient without high levels of antibody aggregation and without a high level of sub-visible particulate matter. An aqueous composition of the invention comprises an antibody having a concentration of at least 50 mg/ml. An aqueous pharmaceutical composition of the invention includes a sugar, a buffering agent, and a surfactant.

The present application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/934,666, filed Nov. 6, 2015, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/088,061, filed on Dec. 5, 2014, and to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/076,770, filed on Nov. 7, 2014, the disclosures of which are specifically incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to aqueous pharmaceutical formulations of anti-VEGF antibodies, a process for the preparation thereof, and uses of the formulations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a known regulator of angiogenesis and neovascularization, and has been shown to be a key mediator of neovascularization associated with tumors and intraocular disorders (Ferrara et al. Endocr. Rev. 18:4-25 (1997)). The VEGF mRNA is overexpressed in many human tumors, and the concentration of VEGF in eye fluids are highly correlated to the presence of active proliferation of blood vessels in patients with diabetic and other ischemia-related retinopathies (Berkman et al., J Clin Invest 91:153-159 (1993); Brown et al. Human Pathol. 26:86-91 (1995); Brown et al. Cancer Res. 53:4727-4735 (1993); Mattern et al. Brit. J. Cancer. 73:931-934 (1996); and Dvorak et al. Am J. Pathol. 146:1029-1039 (1995); Aiello et al. N. Engl. J. Med. 331:1480-1487 (1994)). In addition, recent studies have shown the presence of localized VEGF in choroidal neovascular membranes in patients affected by AMD (Lopez et al. Invest. Ophtalmo. Vis. Sci. 37:855-868 (1996)). Anti-VEGF neutralizing antibodies can be used to suppress the growth of a variety of human tumor cell lines in nude mice and also inhibit intraocular angiogenesis in models of ischemic retinal disorders (Kim et al. Nature 362:841-844(1993); Warren et al. J. Clin. Invest 95:1789-1797 (1995); Borgstrom et al. Cancer Res. 56:4032-4039 (1996); and Melnyk et al. Cancer Res. 56:921-924 (1996)) (Adamis et al. Arch. Opthalmol. 114:66-71 (1996)).

A number of antibodies are approved for therapeutic use in humans and other mammals, including anti-VEGF antibodies. The concentration of therapeutic antibodies in liquid pharmaceutical formulations varies widely depending, for example, on the route of administration. There is often a need for a high concentration formulation of an antibody when small volumes are desired. For example, high concentration formulations may be desirable for intravitreal injection or subcutaneous administration.

However, formulations with high concentration of antibody may have short shelf lives, and the formulated antibodies may lose biological activity caused by chemical and physical instabilities during storage. Aggregation, deamidation and oxidation are known to be the most common causes of antibody degradation. In particular, aggregation can potentially lead to increased immune response in patients, leading to safety concerns. Thus it must be minimized or prevented.

Formation of particulates in biotherapeutic formulations is also a major quality concern, as particulates in the tens of microns to sub-millimeter and millimeter size range can generally be seen by the naked human eye (see Das, 2012, AAPS PharmSciTech, 13:732-746). Particulates in therapeutic ophthalmic preparations can cause damage to the eye. Therefore, there are regulatory standards to ensure sub-visible particulate matter content in ophthalmic formulations is within certain limits. For example, the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) has set requirements for particulate matter in ophthalmic solutions, such as the maximum number of particles >10 μm diameter is 50 per mL, the maximum number of particles ≥25 μm diameter is 5 per mL, and the maximum number of particles ≥50 μm diameter is 2 per mL determined by the microscopic method particle count (see USP General Chapter <789>).

Methods for producing high concentration antibody formulations are known. However, a universal approach does not exist to overcome the unpredictable impact of an antibody's amino acid sequence on its tendency to form aggregates or degrade in the presence of various pharmaceutical excipients, buffers, etc. Further, preparing an ophthalmic formulation with a high concentration of protein (such as an antibody) that contains an acceptable level of sub-visible particles is challenging and not predictable.

It is an object of the invention to provide further and improved formulations with high concentration of anti-VEGF antibodies and low levels of antibody aggregation and sub-visible particles, that are suitable for administration to a human, in particular to a human eye.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an aqueous pharmaceutical composition comprising a high concentration of anti-VEGF antibody suitable for ophthalmic injection. In certain aspects, the aqueous pharmaceutical compositions of the invention exhibit low to undetectable levels of antibody aggregation or degradation, with very little to no loss of the biological activities during manufacture, preparation, transportation and long periods of storage, the concentration of the anti-VEGF antibody being at least about 50 mg/ml, 60 mg/ml, 80 mg/ml, 100 mg/ml, 120 mg/ml, 140 mg/ml, 160 mg/ml, 180 mg/ml, or 200 mg/ml.

The invention provides aqueous pharmaceutical compositions comprising an anti-VEGF antibody, a stabilizer, a buffer, and a surfactant. In certain aspects, as aqueous pharmaceutical composition comprises: (i) at least 50 mg/ml of an anti-VEGF antibody, (ii) sucrose or trehalose as a stabilizer, (iii) a citrate or histidine buffer, and (iv) polysorbate 80 as a surfactant.

In certain aspects, the aqueous pharmaceutical composition comprises about 4.5%-11% w/v sucrose or 5%-10% trehalose, 0.006% to 0.012% citric acid (w/v), 0.2% to 0.6% trisodium citrate dihydrate (w/v), and about 0.01% to 0.1% polysorbate 80 (w/v), wherein the pH of the formulation is 6.3 to 7.3.

Specific preferred embodiments of the invention will become evident from the following more detailed description of certain preferred embodiments and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a graph of the results from a turbidity assay for 1008 formulated at different pH. The x-axis shows the incubation time at 55° C.; while y-axis shows the optical density monitored at 350 nm.

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B show a turbidity assay monitoring changes in OD₃₆₀ for different 1008 formulations incubated at 55° C. for 180 mins (FIG. 2A). OD₃₆₀ curves obtained in 60 min are expanded and shown in (FIG. 2B). The sample numbers in FIG. 2A and 2B correspond to the formulation number in Table 13.

FIG. 3 shows a turbidity assay with data collected between zero to 90 minutes for simplicity. The entire experiment was 180 minutes. Changes in OD₃₆₀ were monitored for different 1008 formulations incubated at 55° C. The sample numbers in the figure correspond to the formulation numbers in Table 15.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing SEC results for the main peak in the eight selected formulations during the 6 weeks storage at 40° C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides aqueous pharmaceutical compositions comprising a high concentration of an anti-VEGF antibody. In certain embodiments an aqueous pharmaceutical composition of the invention is stable for at least 18 months at 2-8° C. and is suitable for ocular administration, including injection or infusion. In a particular embodiment, an aqueous pharmaceutical composition of the invention meets the USP <789> requirements relative to the presence of particulate matter. Thus, in certain embodiments, the maximum number of particles ≥10 μm diameter in an aqueous pharmaceutical composition of the invention is 50 per mL, the maximum number of particles ≥25 μm diameter in an aqueous pharmaceutical composition of the invention is 5 per mL, and the maximum number of particles ≥50 μm diameter in an aqueous pharmaceutical composition of the invention is 2 per mL, said particle numbers being determined by the light obscuration and/or microscopic particle count method as required by the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention General Chapter <789>).

As used herein, an “aqueous” pharmaceutical composition is a composition suitable for pharmaceutical use, wherein the aqueous carrier is distilled water. A composition suitable for pharmaceutical use may be sterile, homogeneous and/or isotonic. Aqueous pharmaceutical compositions may be prepared either directly in an aqueous form, for example in pre-filled syringe ready for use (the “liquid formulations”) or as lyophilisate to be reconstituted shortly before use.

As used herein, the term “aqueous pharmaceutical composition” refers to the liquid formulation or reconstituted lyophilized formulation. In certain embodiments, the aqueous pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are suitable for ophthalmic administration to a human subject. In a specific embodiment, the aqueous pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are suitable for intravitreal administration. In another embodiment, the aqueous pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are suitable for administration by intravitreal infusion.

The present invention provides novel pharmaceutical formulations, in particular novel pharmaceutical formulations in which the active ingredient comprises antibodies to human VEGF. In one aspect, the invention relates to an aqueous pharmaceutical composition with high concentration of anti-VEGF antibodies. Preferred anti-VEGF antibodies in formulations of the invention are described in WO 2009/155724, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The term “antibody” as used herein includes whole antibodies and any antigen binding fragment (i.e., “antigen-binding portion,” “antigen binding polypeptide,” or “immunobinder”) or single chain thereof. An “antibody” includes a glycoprotein comprising at least two heavy (H) chains and two light (L) chains inter-connected by disulfide bonds, or an antigen binding portion thereof. Each heavy chain is comprised of a heavy chain variable region (abbreviated herein as V_(H)) and a heavy chain constant region. The heavy chain constant region is comprised of three domains, CH1 CH2 and CH3. Each light chain is comprised of a light chain variable region (abbreviated herein as V_(L)) and a light chain constant region. The light chain constant region is comprised of one domain, CL. The V_(H) and V_(L) regions can be further subdivided into regions of hypervariability, termed complementarity determining regions (CDR), interspersed with regions that are more conserved, termed framework regions (FR). Each V_(H) and V_(L) is composed of three CDRs and four FRs, arranged from amino-terminus to carboxy-terminus in the following order: FR1, CDR1, FR2, CDR2, FR3, CDR3, FR4. The variable regions of the heavy and light chains contain a binding domain that interacts with an antigen. The constant regions of the antibodies may mediate the binding of the immunoglobulin to host tissues or factors, including various cells of the immune system (e.g., effector cells) and the first component (Clq) of the classical complement system.

The term “antigen-binding portion” of an antibody (or simply “antibody portion”) refers to one or more fragments of an antibody that retain the ability to specifically bind to an antigen (e.g., VEGF). It has been shown that the antigen-binding function of an antibody can be performed by fragments of a full-length antibody. Examples of binding fragments encompassed within the term “antigen-binding portion” of an antibody include (i) a Fab fragment, a monovalent fragment consisting of the V_(L), V_(H), CL and CH1 domains; (ii) a F(ab′)₂ fragment, a bivalent fragment comprising two Fab fragments linked by a disulfide bridge at the hinge region; (iii) a Fd fragment consisting of the V_(H) and CH1 domains; (iv) a Fv fragment consisting of the V_(L) and V_(H) domains of a single arm of an antibody, (v) a single domain or dAb fragment (Ward et al., (1989) Nature 341:544-546), which consists of a V_(H) domain; and (vi) an isolated complementarity determining region (CDR) or (vii) a combination of two or more isolated CDRs which may optionally be joined by a synthetic linker. Furthermore, although the two domains of the Fv fragment, V_(L) and V_(H), are coded for by separate genes, they can be joined, using recombinant methods, by a synthetic linker that enables them to be made as a single protein chain in which the V_(L) and V_(H) regions pair to form monovalent molecules (known as single chain Fv (scFv); see e.g., Bird et al. (1988) Science 242:423-426; and Huston et al. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:5879-5883). Such single chain antibodies are also intended to be encompassed within the term “antigen-binding portion” of an antibody. These antibody fragments are obtained using conventional techniques known to those with skill in the art, and the fragments are screened for utility in the same manner as are intact antibodies. Antigen-binding portions can be produced by recombinant DNA techniques, or by enzymatic or chemical cleavage of intact immunoglobulins. Antibodies can be of different isotype, for example, an IgG (e.g., an IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, or IgG4 subtype), IgAl, IgA2, IgD, IgE, or IgM antibody.

In a preferred embodiment, an aqueous pharmaceutical composition of the invention comprises a variable heavy chain having the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 and a variable light chain having the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2.

VH: SEQ ID NO: 1 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCTASGFSLTDYYYMTWVRQAPGKGLEWVG FIDPDDDPYYATWAKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCAGGD HNSGWGLDIWGQGTLVTVSS VL: SEQ ID NO: 2 EIVMTQSPSTLSASVGDRVIITCQASEIIHSWLAWYQQKPGKAPKLLIYL ASTLASGVPSRFSGSGSGAEFTLTISSLQPDDFATYYCQNVYLASTNGAN FGQGTKLTVLG

In another preferred embodiment, the anti-VEGF antibody is a single-chain Fv (scFv) antibody fragment comprising the sequence:

(SEQ ID NO: 3) EIVMTQSPSTLSASVGDRVIITCQASEIIHSWLAWYQQKPGKAPKLLIYL ASTLASGVPSRFSGSGSGAEFTLTISSLQPDDFATYYCQNVYLASTNGAN FGQGTKLTVLGGGGGSGGGGSGGGGSGGGGSEVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLR LSCTASGFSLTDYYYMTWVRQAPGKGLEWVGFIDPDDDPYYATWAKGRFT ISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCAGGDHNSGWGLDIWGQGTLVTVS S

An anti-VEGF antibody in an aqueous pharmaceutical composition of the invention can be produced, for example, as described in WO 2009/155724. An scFv can be produced using an expression vector, as described therein. A methionine derived from the start codon in an expression vector is present in the final protein in cases where it has not been cleaved posttranslationally (see SEQ ID NO: 4 in the Examples).

In certain embodiments, the anti-VEGF antibody in an aqueous pharmaceutical composition of the invention comprises heavy chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR 3 as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 5, 6, and 7 respectively, and light chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 8, 9, and 10.

SEQ ID NO: 5 GFSLTDYYYMT SEQ ID NO: 6 FIDPDDDPYYATWAKG SEQ ID NO: 7 GDHNSGWGLDI SEQ ID NO: 8 QASEIIHSWLA SEQ ID NO: 9 LASTLAS SEQ ID NO: 10 QNVYLASTNGAN

In one embodiment, the concentration of an anti-VEGF antibody in the aqueous pharmaceutical composition of the invention is at least 50 mg/ml. Preferably, the aqueous pharmaceutical composition of the invention comprises about 50 mg/ml, about 60 mg/ml, about 70 mg/ml, about 80 mg/ml, about 90 mg/ml, about 100 mg/ml, about 110 mg/ml, about 120 mg/ml, about 130 mg/ml, about 140 mg/ml, about 150 mg/ml, about 160 mg/ml, about 170 mg/ml, about 180 mg/ml, about 190 mg/ml, about 200 mg/ml, about 210 mg/ml, about 220 mg/ml, about 230 mg/ml, about 240 mg/ml, about 250 mg/ml or about 300 mg/ml of an anti-VEGF antibody.

In certain embodiments, the aqueous pharmaceutical composition of the invention comprises between 60 mg/ml and 120 mg/ml of an anti-VEGF antibody, for example, an antibody comprising SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2.

In one embodiment, the aqueous pharmaceutical composition of the invention comprises 60 mg/ml of an anti-VEGF antibody comprising SEQ ID NO: 3.

In another embodiment, the aqueous pharmaceutical composition of the invention comprises 120 mg/ml of an anti-VEGF antibody comprising SEQ ID NO: 3.

The aqueous pharmaceutical compositions of the invention include, in addition to the anti-VEGF antibody, further components such as one or more of the following: (i) a stabilizer; (ii) a buffering agent; (iii) a surfactant; and (iv) a free amino acid. Inclusion of each of such additional components can give compositions with low aggregation of the anti-VEGF antibody. Preferably, the aqueous pharmaceutical compositions of the invention include, in addition to the anti-VEGF antibody: (i) a stabilizer; (ii) a buffering agent; and (iii) a surfactant.

Suitable stabilizer for use with the invention can act, for example, as viscosity enhancing agents, bulking agents, solubilizing agents, and/or the like. The stabilizer can be ionic or non-ionic (e.g. sugars). As sugars they include, but are not limited to, monosaccharides, e.g., fructose, maltose, galactose, glucose, D-mannose, sorbose and the like; disaccharides, e.g. lactose, sucrose, trehalose, cellobiose, and the like; polysaccharides, e.g. raffinose, melezitose, maltodextrins, dextrans, starches, and the like; and alditols, such as mannitol, xylitol, maltitol, lactitol, xylitol sorbitol (glucitol) and the like. For example, the sugar may be sucrose, trehalose, raffinose, maltose, sorbitol or mannitol. The sugar may be a sugar alcohol or an amino sugar. Sucrose and trehalose are preferred. Most preferred is sucrose. As ionic stabilizer they may include salts such as NaCl or amino acid components such as arginine-HCl.

Suitable buffering agents for use with the invention include, but are not limited to, organic acid salts such as salts of citric acid, ascorbic acid, gluconic acid, carbonic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, acetic acid or phthalic acid; Tris, thomethamine hydrochloride, or phosphate buffer.

In addition, amino acid components can also be used as buffering agent. Citrate or histidine buffer are particularly useful, including 10-20 mM of histidine buffer, for example, 0.13% to 0.26% (w/v) histidine and 0.03%-0.07% (w/v) histidine Hydrochloride monohydrate), or 10-20 mM citrate buffer, for example 0.006% to 0.012% citric acid (w/v) and 0.2% to 0.6% trisodium citrate dihydrate (w/v). Citric acid used in a formulation of the invention can be any hydration form, for example anhydrous or monohydrate.

The aqueous pharmaceutical compositions include such buffering agent or pH adjusting agent to provide improved pH control. In certain embodiment, an aqueous pharmaceutical composition of the invention has a pH between 5.0 and 8.0, between 5.0 and 7.0, between 6.0 and 8.0, or between 6.0 and 7.0. In one embodiment, the pH of an aqueous pharmaceutical composition of the invention is about 6.3 to about 7.3. In a specific embodiment, an aqueous pharmaceutical composition of the invention has a pH of about 6.8.

As used herein, the term “surfactant” herein refers to organic substances having amphipathic structures; i.e., they are composed of groups of opposing solubility tendencies, typically an oil-soluble hydrocarbon chain and a water-soluble ionic group. Surfactants can be classified, depending on the charge of the surface-active moiety, into anionic, cationic and dispersing agents for various pharmaceutical compositions and preparations of biological materials.

Suitable surfactants for use with the invention include, but are not limited to, non-ionic surfactants, ionic surfactants and zwitterionic surfactants. Typical surfactants for use with the invention include, but are not limited to, sorbitan fatty acid esters (e.g. sorbitan monocaprylate, sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monopalmitate), sorbitan trioleate, glycerine fatty acid esters (e.g. glycerine monocaprylate, glycerine monomyristate, glycerine monostearate), polyglycerine fatty acid esters (e.g. decaglyceryl monostearate, decaglyceryl distearate, decaglyceryl monolinoleate), polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters (e.g. polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monopalmitate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan trioleate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan tristearate), polyoxyethylene sorbitol fatty acid esters (e.g. polyoxyethylene sorbitol tetrastearate, polyoxyethylene sorbitol tetraoleate), polyoxyethylene glycerine fatty acid esters (e.g. polyoxyethylene glyceryl monostearate), polyethylene glycol fatty acid esters (e.g. polyethylene glycol distearate), polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers (e.g. polyoxyethylene lauryl ether), polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene alkyl ethers (e.g. polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene glycol, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene propyl ether, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene cetyl ether), polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ethers (e.g. polyoxyethylene nonylphenyl ether), polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oils (e.g. polyoxyethylene castor oil, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil), polyoxyethylene beeswax derivatives (e.g. polyoxyethylene sorbitol beeswax), polyoxyethylene lanolin derivatives (e.g. polyoxyethylene lanolin), and polyoxyethylene fatty acid amides (e.g. polyoxyethylene stearic acid amide); C₁₀-C₁₈ alkyl sulfates (e.g. sodium cetyl sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium oleyl sulfate), polyoxyethylene C₁₀-C₁₈ alkyl ether sulfate with an average of 2 to 4 moles of ethylene oxide units added (e.g. sodium polyoxyethylene lauryl sulfate), and C₁-C₁₈ alkyl sulfosuccinate ester salts (e.g. sodium lauryl sulfosuccinate ester); and natural surfactants such as lecithin, glycerophospholipid, sphingophospholipids (e.g. sphingomyelin), and sucrose esters of C₁₂₋₁₈ fatty acids. A composition may include one or more of these surfactants. Preferred surfactants are polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters e.g. polysorbate 20, 40, 60 or 80. Polysorbate 80 is particularly preferred.

Suitable free amino acids for use with the invention include, but are not limited to, arginine, lysine, histidine, ornithine, isoleucine, leucine, alanine, glycine glutamic acid or aspartic acid. The inclusion of a basic amino acid is preferred i.e. arginine, lysine and/or histidine. If a composition includes histidine then this may act both as a buffering agent and a free amino acid, but when a histidine buffer is used it is typical to include a non-histidine free amino acid e.g. to include histidine buffer and lysine. An amino acid may be present in its D- and/or L-form, but the L-form is typical. The amino acid may be present as any suitable salt e.g. a hydrochloride salt, such as arginine-HCl. In one preferred embodiment, an aqueous pharmaceutical composition of the invention does not comprise any such free amino acids.

In a preferred embodiment, a sugar is present in the aqueous pharmaceutical composition of the invention, e.g. after reconstitution of a lyophilisate in water, at a concentration of between 3 and 11% (w/v). In certain embodiments, the sugar is sucrose at a concentration of about 4.5% to about 11%, or trehalose at a concentration of about 5% to about 10%. A concentration of 6.75% (w/v) sucrose is preferred.

In a preferred embodiment, a buffering agent is present in the aqueous pharmaceutical composition of the invention, e.g. after reconstitution of a lyophilisate in water, at a concentration of between 1 and 60 mM e.g. 10-40 mM, 15-30 mM, 15-25 mM. In certain embodiments, the buffering agent is citrate or histidine. A concentration of 15 mM citrate buffer is preferred.

In a preferred embodiment, a surfactant is present in the aqueous pharmaceutical composition of the invention, e.g. after reconstitution of a lyophilisate in water, at a concentration of up to 0.2% (by volume) e.g. 0.01-0.1%, 0.03-0.08%, 0.04-0.08%. A concentration of 0.05% polysorbate 80 is preferred.

Other contemplated excipients, which may be utilized in the aqueous pharmaceutical compositions of the invention include, for example, antimicrobial agents, antioxidants, antistatic agents, lipids such as phospholipids or fatty acids, steroids such as cholesterol, protein excipients such as serum albumin (human serum albumin), recombinant human albumin, gelatin, casein, salt-forming counterions such sodium and the like. These and additional known pharmaceutical excipients and/or additives suitable for use in the formulations of the invention are known in the art, e.g., as listed in “The Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients, 4th edition, Rowe et al., Eds., American Pharmaceuticals Association (2003); and Remington: the Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 21^(st) edition, Gennaro, Ed., Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (2005).

Preferred formulations of the invention are shown in Table 40 in the Examples below.

In certain embodiments, lyophilisation of an anti-VEGF antibody is contemplated to provide an aqueous pharmaceutical composition of the invention for treating a patient.

Techniques for lyophilisation of antibodies are well known in the art e.g. see John F. Carpenter and Michael J. Pikal, 1997 (Pharm. Res. 14, 969-975); Xialin (Charlie) Tang and Michael J. Pikal, 2004 (Pharm. Res. 21, 191-200).

Before a lyophilisate can be administered to a patient it should be reconstituted with an aqueous reconstituent. This step permits antibody and other components in the lyophilisate to re-dissolve to give a solution which is suitable for injection to a patient.

The volume of aqueous material used for reconstitution dictates the concentration of the antibody in a resulting pharmaceutical composition. Reconstitution with a smaller volume of reconstituent than the pre-lyophilisation volume provides a composition which is more concentrated than before lyophilisation. The reconstitution factor (volume of formulation after lyophilization:volume of formulation before lyophilization) may be from 1:0.5 to 1:6. A reconstitution factor of 1:3 is useful. As mentioned above, lyophilisates of the invention can be reconstituted to give aqueous compositions with an anti-VEGF antibody concentration of at least 50 mg/ml (i.e., at least 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, or 130 mg/ml), and the volume of reconstituent will be selected accordingly. If required, the reconstituted formulation can be diluted prior to administration to a patient as appropriate to deliver the intended dose.

Typical reconstituents for lyophilized antibodies include sterile water or buffer, optionally containing a preservative. If the lyophilisate includes a buffering agent then the reconstituent may include further buffering agent (which may be the same as or different from the lyophilisate's buffering agent) or it may instead include no buffering agent (e.g. WFI (water for injection), or physiological saline).

The aqueous pharmaceutical compositions of the invention comprising anti-VEGF antibodies can be used to treat a variety of diseases or disorders. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising anti-VEGF antibodies are particularly useful to treat neovascular ocular diseases in a subject.

A “neovascular ocular disease” that can be treated using an aqueous pharmaceutical composition of the invention includes, a condition, disease, or disorder associated with ocular neovascularization, including, but not limited to, abnormal angiogenesis, choroidal neovascularization (CNV), retinal vascular permeability, retinal edema, diabetic retinopathy (particularly proliferative diabetic retinopathy), diabetic macular edema, neovascular (exudative) age-related macular degeneration (AMD), including CNV associated with nAMD (neovascular AMD), sequela associated with retinal ischemia, Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO), and posterior segment neovascularization.

The aqueous pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may include further active ingredients in addition to the anti-VEGF antibody. Further pharmacological agents may include, for instance, other antibodies useful for treating ocular diseases.

Aqueous pharmaceutical compositions of the invention can be administered to a patient. As used herein, the term “subject” or “patient” refers to human and non-human mammals, including but, not limited to, primates, rabbits, pigs, horses, dogs, cats, sheep, and cows. Preferably, a subject or patient is a human.

Administration will typically be via a syringe. Thus the invention provides a delivery device (e.g. a syringe) including a pharmaceutical composition of the invention (e.g., pre-filled syringe). Patients will receive an effective amount of the anti-VEGF antibody as the principal active ingredient (i.e., an amount that is sufficient to achieve or at least partially achieve the desired effect). A therapeutically effective dose is sufficient if it can produce even an incremental change in the symptoms or conditions associated with the disease. The therapeutically effective dose does not have to completely cure the disease or completely eliminate symptoms. Preferably, the therapeutically effective dose can at least partially arrest the disease and its complications in a patient already suffering from the disease. Amounts effective for this use will depend upon the severity of the disorder being treated and the general state of the patient's own immune system.

The dose amount can be readily determined using known dosage adjustment techniques by a physician having ordinary skill in treatment of the disease or condition. The therapeutically effective amount of an anti-VEGF antibody used in an aqueous pharmaceutical composition of the invention is determined by taking into account the desired dose volumes and mode(s) of administration, for example. Typically, therapeutically effective compositions are administered in a dosage ranging from 0.001 mg/ml to about 200 mg/ml per dose. Preferably, a dosage used in a method of the invention is about 60 mg/ml to about 120 mg/ml (i.e., about 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, or 120 mg/ml). In a preferred embodiment, the dosage of an anti-VEGF antibody used in a method of the invention is 60 mg/ml or 120 mg/ml.

In certain embodiments, a dose is administered directly to an eye of a patient. In one embodiment, a dose per eye is at least about 0.5 mg up to about 6 mg. Preferred doses per eye include about 0.5 mg, 0.6 mg, 0.7 mg, 0.8 mg, 0.9 mg, 1.0 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.4 mg, 1.6 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.0 mg, 2.5 mg, 3.0 mg, 3.5 mg, 4.0 mg, 4.5 mg, 5.0 mg, 5.5 mg, and 6.0 mg. Doses can be administered in various volumes suitable for ophthalmic administration, such as 50 μl or 100 μl, for example, including 3 mg/50 μl or 6 mg/50 μl. Smaller volumes can also be used, including 10 μl or less, for example about 10 μl or about 8.0 μl. In certain embodiments, a dose of 1.2 mg/10 μl or 1 mg/8.0 μl (e.g., 1 mg/8.3 μl) is delivered to an eye of a patient for treating or ameliorating one or more of the diseases and disorders described above. Delivery can be, for example, by intravitreal injection or infusion.

The invention also provides formulations (i.e., aqueous pharmaceutical compositions) of the invention for use as medicaments, e.g. for use in delivering an antibody to a patient, or for use in treating or ameliorating one or more of the diseases and disorders described above.

The invention further provides a method for delivering an anti-VEGF antibody to a patient, comprising a step of administering to the patient an aqueous pharmaceutical composition of the invention.

In certain embodiments, a method for delivering an anti-VEGF antibody to a patient invention comprises the steps of: (i) reconstituting a lyophilisate of the invention to give an aqueous formulation, and (ii) administering the aqueous formulation to the patient. Step (ii) ideally takes place within 24 hours of step (i) (e.g., within 12 hours, within 6 hours, within 3 hours, or within 1 hour). Certain specific embodiments of the invention are described as numbered hereafter:

1. An aqueous pharmaceutical composition, comprising (i) at least 50 mg/ml of an anti-VEGF antibody that includes heavy chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 of SEQ ID NO: 5, 6, and 7 respectively, and light chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 of SEQ ID NO: 8, 9, and 10 respectively, (ii) sucrose or trehalose, (iii) a citrate or histidine buffer, and (iv) polysorbate 80 as a surfactant.

2. The aqueous pharmaceutical composition of Embodiment 1, comprising 4.5% to 11% (w/v) sucrose or 5% to 10% trehalose, 0.006% to 0.012% citric acid (w/v), 0.2% to 0.6% trisodium citrate dihydrate (w/v), and 0.01% to 0.1% polysorbate 80 (w/v), wherein the pH of the composition is about 6.3 to about 7.3.

3. The aqueous pharmaceutical composition of Embodiment 2, wherein the concentration of sucrose is 6.75% (w/v) the concentration of citric acid is about 0.01% (w/v), the concentration of trisodium citrate dihydrate is about 0.428% (w/v), the concentration of polysorbate 80 is about 0.05% (w/v), and the pH is about 6.8.

4. The aqueous pharmaceutical composition of any one of Embodiments 1-3, wherein the concentration of the anti-VEGF antibody is at least 60 mg/ml, at least 70 mg/ml, at least 80 mg/ml, at least 90 mg/ml, at least 100 mg/ml, at least 110 mg/ml, at least 120 mg/ml, at least 130 mg/ml, at least 140 mg/ml, or at least 150 mg/ml.

5. The aqueous pharmaceutical composition of any one of Embodiments 1-4, wherein the concentration of the anti-VEGF antibody is about 60 mg/ml, about 70 mg/ml, about 80 mg/ml, about 90 mg/ml, about 100 mg/ml, about 110 mg/ml, about 120 mg/ml, about 130 mg/ml, about 140 mg/ml, or about 150 mg/ml.

6. The aqueous pharmaceutical composition of any one of Embodiments 1-5, wherein the anti-VEGF antibody comprises the sequences of SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2.

7. The aqueous pharmaceutical composition of any one of Embodiments 1-6, wherein the anti-VEGF antibody comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3.

8. The aqueous pharmaceutical composition of any one of Embodiments 1-7, wherein the concentration of the anti-VEGF antibody is about 60 mg/ml or about 120 mg/ml.

9. A delivery device including the aqueous pharmaceutical composition of any one of Embodiments 1-8.

10. The delivery device of Embodiment 9, which is a pre-filled syringe.

11. A method for delivering an anti-VEGF antibody to a subject, comprising a step of administering to the subject an aqueous pharmaceutical composition of any one of Embodiments 1-8.

12. A method of treating an ocular disease or disorder that is mediated by VEGF, comprising administering to a subject, an aqueous pharmaceutical composition of any one of Embodiments 1-8.

13. The method of Embodiment 12, wherein said ocular disease or disorder that is an ocular neovascular disease.

14. A lyophilized formulation prepared by lyophilizing the aqueous pharmaceutical composition of any one of Embodiments 1-8.

15. A method for preparing a lyophilisate, comprising the steps of: (i) preparing an aqueous solution of an anti-VEGF antibody, sucrose or trehalose, citrate or histidine buffer, and a surfactant; and (ii) lyophilizing the aqueous solution.

16. The method of Embodiment 15, wherein the anti-VEGF antibody includes heavy chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 of SEQ ID NO: 5, 6, and 7 respectively, and light chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 of SEQ ID NO: 8, 9, and 10 respectively.

17. The method of Embodiment 16, wherein the anti-VEGF antibody comprises the sequences of SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2.

18. The method of any one of Embodiments 16-17, wherein the anti-VEGF antibody comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3.

19. An aqueous pharmaceutical composition of any one of Embodiments 1-8 for use in delivering an anti-VEGF antibody to a subject, comprising a step of administering the aqueous pharmaceutical composition to the subject.

20. An aqueous pharmaceutical composition of any one of Embodiments 1-8 for use in treating an ocular disease or disorder that is mediated by VEGF, comprising administering the aqueous pharmaceutical composition to a subject.

21. The use of Embodiment 20, wherein said ocular disease or disorder that is an ocular neovascular disease.

As used herein, all percentages are percentages by weight, unless stated otherwise.

As used herein and unless otherwise indicated, the terms “a” and “an” are taken to mean “one”, “at least one” or “one or more”. Unless otherwise required by context, singular terms used herein shall include pluralities and plural terms shall include the singular.

The contents of any patents, patent applications, and references cited throughout this specification are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

Other embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the present specification and practice of the present invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the present specification and examples be considered as exemplary only with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims and equivalents thereof.

EXAMPLES

The following examples describe formulation development efforts designed to identify suitable stabilization approaches and compositions to provide stable, highly concentrated solutions comprising the antibody 1008, enabling an IVT formulation with at least an 18-month shelf-life at refrigerated storage conditions that meets the regulatory requirements for ophthalmic products.

The 1008 antibody is a single-chain antibody that binds to and inhibits the biologic activity of human vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A). The amino acid sequence of expressed 1008 is:

(SEQ ID NO: 4) MEIVMTQSPS TLSASVGDRV IITCQASEII HSWLAWYQQK PGKAPKLLIY LASTLASGVP SRFSGSGSGA EFTLTISSLQ PDDFATYYCQ NVYLASTNGA NFGQGTKLTV LGGGGGSGGG GSGGGGSGGG GSEVQLVESG GGLVQPGGSL RLSCTASGFS LTDYYYMTWV RQAPGKGLEW VGFIDPDDDP YYATWAKGRF TISRDNSKNT LYLQMNSLRA EDTAVYYCAG GDHNSGWGLD IWGQGTLVTV SS

Significant amounts of sub-visible particulates were observed at a concentration of 60 mg/ml 1008 when 1008 was formulated as an isotonic solution in 15 mM citrate buffer with 0.001% polysorbate 20 at pH 6.25. The major issue with this initial formulation was the particulate matter exceeding regulatory limits for ophthalmic solutions for injection (USP<789>), even when stored at −20° C.

The following examples summarize the formulation development of 60 and 120 mg/ml 1008 intravitreal (IVT) solutions stable at 2-8° C. storage for at least 18 months. The formulation development effort focused on inhibition of the formation of sub-visible particles and meeting the USP requirement for content, purity and potency.

ANALYTICAL METHODS

The following methods were used throughout the Examples as indicated.

Micro-Flow Imaging (MFI) Method

MFI method used for analysis of excipient screening, Study 1 and Study 2 for 60 mg/ml optimization studies was as follows:

Total sample volume used: 0.50 mL

Purge volume: 0.20 mL

Analysis volume: 0.26 mL

The optimize illumination step was performed with purified filtered particle free water. WFI method used for analysis of 120mg/ml 1008 Study 3 and Study 4:

Total sample volume used: 0.80 mL

Purge volume: 0.23 mL

Analysis volume: 0.48 mL

The optimize illumination step was performed with purified filtered particle free water. SEC method

SE-HPLC (Size exclusion chromatography) separates proteins according to their size. Separation was achieved by the differential exclusion, or inclusion, of the sample molecules as they passed through the porous-particle stationary phase. High performance liquid chromatography system capable of maintaining a flow rate of 0.25 ml/minute and a sample temperature of 4 ° C., equipped with a TOSOH SuperSW3000 column (Tosoh Bioscience LLC, King of Prussia, Pa.), and a detector capable of operating at 214 nm and 280 nm simultaneously. This method was used for purity testing.

IEX-HPLC Method

AIEX-HPLC (Anion exchange high performance liquid chromatography) separates proteins according to their net charge. This procedure was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), capable of maintaining a flow rate of 0.8 ml/minute, with a temperature controlled column compartment (set at 25° C.) containing a strong anion exchange column, an auto-sampler (set at 4° C.), and a variable wavelength UV detector, capable of operating at 280 nm.

CGE Method

The capillary gel electrophoresis method was performed for the determination of the identity and purity of proteins between the molecular weights of 10 kDa and 225 kDa by SDS gel Capillary Electrophoresis. The capillary was dynamically filled with a Beckman Coulter 0.2% SDS Gel Buffer, pH 8, proprietary formulation. The separation of the protein was performed by molecular sieving electrophoresis. The logarithm of protein molecular weight was linear with its reciprocal electrophoretic mobility. The identity of a protein was determined by comparing its migration with a molecular weight standard. The purity was determined by area percent analysis of the parent peak and impurities. A photodiode array detector (PDA) was used to analyze the sample at 220 nm.

Potency Analysis

The competition ELISA was used for potency testing. Competitive ELISA, the ability of 1008 to compete with VEGFR2/Fc for biotinylated VEGF was measured. The signal observed was inversely related to the concentration of 1008, as increasing amounts of 1008 effectively blocked the binding of biotinylated VEGF with its receptor VEGFR2/Fc. Each sample was analyzed in a 96-well microtiter plate against a 1008 reference standard, and the relative potency of the sample to that of the reference standard was reported.

Example 1 Excipient Screening

1008 was formulated in a citrate buffer at pH 6.25. The formulation composition is shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Component Concentration (W/V %) 1008   6% Trisodium Citrate (Dihydrate) 0.59% Sodium Chloride 0.73% Polysorbate 20 0.001%  Hydrochloric Acid pH 6.25 Water For Injection Qs 100

Significant numbers of sub-visible particulates were observed in the above formulation. The particulate matter exceeded regulatory limits for ophthalmic solutions for injection USP<789> even in the storage of −20° C.

The effect of various excipients on formation of sub-visible particulates was investigated to develop a more stable liquid solution of 1008. The protein solutions at 60 mg/ml containing different excipients were stored at 40° C. and analyzed for particulates in the size of 1-100 μm by MFI. The experimental data demonstrated that most excipients tested, including arginine, dextran, ascorbic acid, methionine, and ammonium acetate, did not reduce the formation of the particulates. Only in presence of non-reducing sugars, such as sucrose and trehalose, was particulate formation significantly reduced.

Further excipient screening was conducted. Effect of excipients on 1008 stability was evaluated in ˜60 mg/ml 1008 solution. Protein solutions containing 0.1% human serum albumin (HSA), 0.1% poloxamer 407, 0.1% Brij 35, 3% glycerin, 50 mM glycine were stored at 40° C., and the samples were assayed by MFI, SEC and IEX after 8, 21, and 28 days of storage. The results are shown in Table 2. The experimental data demonstrated the instability of the protein in the presence of the tested excipients.

TABLE 2 Results of Excipient Screening Excipient 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 3% 50 mM HSA Poloxamer 407 Brij 35 Glycerin Glycine Time (day)  8 ≥10 um by MFI 19 8 18 329 47 ≥25 um by MFI 5 5 6 43 8 ≥50 um by MFI 1 0 1 3 0 Total by MFI 538 381 378 24805 2436 SEC (% initial) 96.2 95.5 81.8 96.3 95.8 IEX (% initial) 95.1 94.3 82.7 95.0 95.6 Time (day) 21 ≥10 um by MFI 30 5 12 95 36 ≥25 um by MFI 7 0 5 14 10 ≥50 um by MFI 1 0 0 2 1 Total by MFI 495 197 1091 5622 1037 SEC (% initial) 88.2 87.7 63.2 89.4 89.4 IEX (% initial) 87.8 86.1 63.2 87.9 87.1 Time (day) 28 ≥10 um by MFI 69 382 595 365 466 ≥25 um by MFI 21 39 68 65 72 ≥50 um by MFI 5 4 6 9 15 Total by MFI 505 7718 2208 10690 52375 SEC (% initial) 85.7 84.7 65.3 86.1 84.5 IEX (% initial) 82.7 80.9 60.0 83.4 82.3

Stability of 57 mg/ml 1008 was investigated in 20 mM in phosphate buffer at pH6.25. The formulation containing 9% sucrose and 0.1% PS80 was assayed at 6, 14 and 27 days after storage at 40° C. The results are listed in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Stability of 57 mg/ml 1008 in 20 mM phosphate buffer Time at 40° C. (day) 6 14 27 ≥10 um by MFI (#/mL) 43 42 11 ≥25 um by MFI (#/mL) 3 13 3 ≥50 um by MFI (#/mL) 1 4 0 Total by MFI (#/mL) 1418 1650 425 SEC (% initial) 97.3 91.9 82.1 IEX (% initial) 98.3 92.2 79.2

Example 2 New Formulation Development Study 1 Excipient Screening

Protein solution of 60 mg/ml 1008 in 20 mM citrate buffer containing 0.001% polysorbate 20 and 0.73% NaCl at pH 6.25 was used for sample preparation. In order to remove the surfactant in the original protein solution, buffer exchange using NAP-25 column was first performed using the vehicle without polysorbate 20. The exchanged protein solution was then concentrated to about 60 mg/ml using Vivaspin filter with 10kDa MWCO. The excipients of HSA, glycine, glycerin, poloxamer 407, and Brij 35 were spiked individually. The prepared samples were then syringe-filtered through 0.2 um PVDF membrane to a 4 mL clear glass vial. About 100 μL sample was used for initial assay, while the rest of the samples were stored at 40° C. One milliliter sample of each formulation was pulled at 8, 21, and 28 days following storage at 40° C. for analysis by MF SEC and IEX.

Component Selection of Buffer, Sugar and Surfactant

Based on excipient screening studies performed internally, two buffers (citrate and histidine), sugars (sucrose and trehalose), and surfactants (Polysorbate 20 and Polysorbate 80) were selected for formulation component selection. Buffer strength of 20 mM, sugar concentration of 264 mM, and surfactant concentration of 0.1% were chosen for the study. A full factorial experimental study was designed as shown in the table below.

TABLE 4 Factors and Design for Study 1 Factor Design Buffer 20 mM Citrate or 20 mM Histidine Sugar 264 mM (9%) Sucrose or 264 mM (9%) Trehalose Surfactant 0.1% Polysorbate 20 or 0.1% Polysorbate 80

The full design used is shown in Table 5 below:

TABLE 5 Three Factors Full Factorial Design for Study 1 No Buffer (mM) Sugar Surfactant 1 20 mM Citrate 264 mM Trehalose 0.1% PS 20 2 20 mM Citrate 264 mM Trehalose 0.1% PS 80 3 20 mM Citrate 264 mM Sucrose 0.1% PS 20 4 20 mM Citrate 264 mM Sucrose 0.1% PS 80 5 20 mM Histidine 264 mM Trehalose 0.1% PS 20 6 20 mM Histidine 264 mM Trehalose 0.1% PS 80 7 20 mM Histidine 264 mM Sucrose 0.1% PS 20 8 20 mM Histidine 264 mM Sucrose 0.1% PS 80

Other parameters:

Concentration/pH 50-60 mg/ml 1008 at pH 6.25 Buffer Exchange NAP25 column, concentrate with Vivaspin 10 kDa MWCO Sample Size/Pkg 2-2.5 mL in a 4 mL clear glass vial with a screw cap Storage/Pull 40° C./0, 1, 2 and 4 weeks Assays MFI, SEC and IEX

Protein solution of 60 mg/ml 1008 in the original buffer containing 0.001% polysorbate 20 was used for the sample preparation. Four new vehicle buffers with different buffer/sugar combinations (20 mM Citrate/264 mM Trehalose, 20 mM Citrate/264 mM Sucrose, 20 mM Histidine/264 mM Trehalose, 20 mM Histidine/264 mM Sucrose) were prepared. 1008 drug substance (DS) was first exchanged into the vehicle buffers using Illustra NAP-25 column (GE Healthcare). The column was equilibrated with 25 mL of citrate buffer. Then 2 mL of 1008 DS was loaded onto the column. After the DS solution completed moved into the column, the column was washed with 2 mL of the same buffer used to equilibrate the column. The 6 mL solution eluted from the column was collected in a Vivaspin 6 concentrator (10KD MWCO, GE Healthcare). The 6 mL eluted solution was then concentrated to about 2 mL using a Beckman GS-15R centrifuge at 9384 ×g and 4° C. The concentration of protein was then measured with a NanoDrop 1000 spectrophotometer using OD280. Polysorbate 20 (PS20) or Polysorbate 80 (PS80) was spiked into the formulations to a final concentration of 0.1%. The prepared formulations were then filtered through 0.2 um PVDF syringe filter and filled into a 4 mL clear glass vial. About 100 uL sample was used for initial assay, while rest of the samples was stored at 40° C. One milliliter sample was pulled following storage of 1, 2 and 4 weeks at 40° C. for analysis by MFI, SEC and IEX.

The qualitative study was conducted in order to select the optimum sugar/surfactant/buffer components for the formulation. Two buffers (citrate and histidine), sugars (sucrose and trehalose), surfactants (Polysorbate 20 and Polysorbate 80) were used in the study design as discussed above. Four weeks stability study was conducted under the accelerated conditions (40° C.). The stability samples were assayed by SEC, IEX and MFI. Table 6 shows the stability results by SEC, IEX and melting point (Tm) by μDSC.

TABLE 6 Qualitative analysis of factors for 60 mg/ml 1008 at 40° C. 1 week/ 2-week/ 4-week/ 1 week/ 2-week/ 4-week/ 40° C. 40° C. 40° C. 40° C. 40° C. 40° C. Tm (° C.) No (SEC)* (SEC) (SEC) (IEX)* (IEX) (IEX) by μDSC 1 2.9 10.7 26.6 5.0 13.7 20.2 71.53 2 2.4 7.8 18.3 4.2 10.5 13.6 71.97 3 2.9 11.1 27.1 4.9 13.2 17.5 71.41 4 2.3 7.5 20.9 4.1 10.6 11.7 71.97 5 3.2 11.7 26.8 5.6 14.7 23.4 71.66 6 2.7 8.1 19.1 5.1 12.1 19.9 72.28 7 3.5 13.2 31.4 6.1 16.4 25.2 71.53 8 2.8 8.6 21.2 5.4 13.1 15.1 72.15 *% Loss using relative peak area

The stability results were analyzed using Minitab (Minitab Inc., State College Pa.). Since SEC and IEX showed the same trend, only SEC data were analyzed and reported by Minitab. The SEC results demonstrated surfactant was the only significant factor; the other factors that appeared to impact the response included buffer selection and interaction between buffer and sugar (to a less extent). SEC data suggested the optimum formulation component being citrate as buffer, polysorbate 80 as surfactant and sucrose as sugar.

Experimental results on particulates by MFI were also analyzed by Minitab. All the three factors evaluated (sugar, surfactant, and buffer) appeared to be insignificant (α=0.05). Comparing the main effects on particulates, citrate was better than histidine; PS80 was better than PS20; Sucrose was similar or slightly better than trehalose. Therefore, citrate as buffer, polysorbate 80 as surfactant and sucrose as sugar were chosen for further studies.

Study 2 Optimization of Concentrations for Buffer, Sugar and Surfactant

A full factorial study containing three factors at two levels with two center points were performed in citrate and histidine buffers respectively, in order to determine the optimum concentration for each selected formulation component. The three factors are buffer (citrate or histidine), polysorbate 80 and sucrose. Factors and design space are tabulated in Table 7 and the detailed experimental designs are shown in Tables 8 and 9.

TABLE 7 Factors and Design Study 2 Factor Design Citrate buffer 10-20 mM NA Histidine buffer NA 10-20 mM Polysorbate 80 0.001-0.1% 0.001-0.1% Sucrose  4.5-9%  4.5-9%

TABLE 8 Full Factorial Design in Citrate Buffer Run Buffer Sucrose Polysorbate 80 Order (mM) (%) (%) C1 10 4.5 0.001 C2 20 4.5 0.001 C3 10 9 0.001 C4 20 9 0.001 C5 10 4.5 0.1 C6 20 4.5 0.1 C7 10 9 0.1 C8 20 9 0.1 C9 15 6.75 0.0505 C10 15 6.75 0.0505

TABLE 9 Full Factorial Design in Histidine Buffer (3 factors at 2 levels with 2 center points) Run Buffer Sucrose Polysorbate 80 Order (mM) (%) (%) H1 10 4.5 0.001 H2 20 4.5 0.001 H3 10 9 0.001 H4 20 9 0.001 H5 10 4.5 0.1 H6 20 4.5 0.1 H7 10 9 0.1 H8 20 9 0.1 H9 15 6.75 0.0505 H10 15 6.75 0.0505

To prepare individual formulation, protein solution of 60 mg/ml 1008 in citrate buffer containing 0.001% polysorbate 20/0.73% NaCl at pH 6.25 was used. The protein solution was first buffer exchanged to a vehicle using NAP-25 column. This vehicle contained buffer and sucrose at their target concentrations. The exchanged protein solution was concentrated to a concentration of about 60 mg/ml using Vivaspin 10 kDa MWCO.

Batch amounts of polysorbate 80 and sodium chloride were then added to make the final formulation compositions. The protein concentration in each sample was verified with theoretical extinction coefficient using absorbance measured by UV at 280 nm.

The prepared formulations were then filtered through 0.2 μm PVDF syringe filter to a 4 mL clean clear glass vial. About 100 μL sample was used for initial assay by SEC and IEX, while about 2-2.5 mL samples were stored at 40° C. About 600 μL sample was pulled after storage for 11, 20, and 27 days at 40° C. for analysis by MFI, SEC and IEX.

Based on Study 1 results, a full factorial study containing three factors at two levels with two center points were performed in citrate and histidine buffers respectively, in order to determine the optimum concentration for each selected formulation component. The tested samples were stored at 40° C., and pulled at 0, 1.6, 2.9 and 4 weeks for MFI, SEC and IEX analysis. The results are tabulated in the Tables 10 and 11.

TABLE 10 Stability Results for Citrate Buffered Solutions Time (wk) 0 1.6 2.9 4 0 1.6 2.9 4 Condition 10 mM Citrate/4.5% 20 mM Citrate/4.5% Sucrose/0.001% PS80) Sucrose/0.001% PS80 1008 (mg/ml) 59.1 58.7 Particles ≥10 μm — 61.1 91.7 36518 — 27 203 51209 #/mL by MFI Particles ≥25 μm — 7.64 15.29 6508 — 4 27 5071 #/mL by MFI Particles ≥50 μm — 0 0 325 — 0 4 61 #/mL by MFI Total Particles — 2881 7165 82439 — 627 26078 577345 #/mL by MFI SEC (% Initial) 99.2 93.4 89.6 85.8 99.3 93.8 90.1 86.4 IEX (% Initial) 97.7 91.4 85.3 81.4 96.8 92.7 87.2 83.3 Condition 10 mM Citrate/9% 20 mM Citrate/9% Sucrose/0.001% Sucrose/0.001% PS80 PS80 1008 (mg/ml) 54.2 53.3 Particles ≥10 μm — 38 57 84 — 19 42 126 #/mL by MFI Particles ≥25 μm — 4 0 8 — 8 0 11 #/mL by MFI Particles ≥50 μm — 0 0 0 — 0 0 0 #/mL by MFI Total Particles — 791 1838 6993 — 841 1594 8472 #/mL by MFI SEC (% Initial) 99.2 93.5 89.7 86.2 99.5 93.4 89.9 86.5 IEX (% Initial) 97.5 91.1 85.3 81.4 97.4 91.8 86.3 82.6 Condition 10 mM Citrate/4.5% 20 mM Citrate/4.5% Sucrose/0.1% Sucrose/0.1% PS80 PS80 1008 (mg/ml) 58.7 58.7 Particles ≥10 μm — 76 27 31 — 34 149 187 #/mL by MFI Particles ≥25 μm — 0 4 8 — 11 31 31 #/mL by MFI Particles ≥50 μm — 0 0 0 — 4 0 0 #/mL by MFI Total Particles — 1104 803 23839 — 860 1494 31451 #/mL by MFI SEC (% Initial) 99.2 92.4 87.5 82.3 99.5 92.3 87.4 82.5 IEX (% Initial) 97.5 90.2 83.1 78.0 97.5 90.6 84.0 78.8 Condition 10 mM Citrate/9% Sucrose/0.1% 20 mM Citrate/9% Sucrose/0.1% PS80 PS80 1008 (mg/ml) 54.7 52.5 Particles ≥10 μm — 103 187 164 — 88 65 99 #/mL by MFI Particles ≥25 μm — 23 42 27 — 23 11 19 #/mL by MFI Particles ≥50 μm — 0 4 2 — 0 4 0 #/mL by MFI Total Particles — 2538 3642 4055 — 1062 1613 2117 #/mL by MFI SEC (% Initial) 98.9 93.2 88.5 84.0 99.4 92.8 88.3 84.0 IEX (% Initial) 97.2 90.9 83.8 79.1 97.1 91.3 84.3 79.7 Condition 15 mM Citrate/6.75% 15 mM Citrate/6.75% Sucrose/0.0505% PS80 Sucrose/0.0505% PS80 1008 (mg/ml) 50.8 51.3 Particles ≥10 μm 42 54 42 31 15 #/mL by MFI Particles ≥25 μm 8 8 0 4 4 #/mL by MFI Particles ≥50 μm 0 4 0 0 0 #/mL by MFI Total Particles 439 1368 1536 1162 1727 #/mL by MFI SEC (% Initial) 99.1 93.6 88.8 84.7 99.4 92.9 88.3 84.1 IEX (% Initial) 97.0 91.5 85.0 80.6 97.0 91.4 84.7 80.0

TABLE 11 Stability Results for Histidine Buffered Solutions Time (week) 0 1.6 2.9 4 0 1.6 2.9 4 Condition 10 mM Histidine/4.5% 20 mM Histidine/4.5% Sucrose/0.001% PS80 Sucrose/0.001% PS80 1008 (mg/ml) 48.8 50.6 Particles ≥10 μm — 26.75 152.86 596 30.57 95.54 4265 #/mL by MFI Particles ≥25 μm — 15.29 11.46 76.43 0 7.64 172 #/mL by MFI Particles ≥50 μm — 0 0 7.64 0 0 3.82 #/mL by MFI Total Particles #/mL — 634 2927 42083 592 14204 246370 by MFI SEC (% Initial) 99.6 93.4 89.5 85.9 99.6 93.3 89.6 86.4 IEX (% Initial) 96.7 91.9 86.2 82.5 96.9 91.9 86.2 82.4 Condition 10 mM Histidine/9% 20 mM Histidine/9% Sucrose/0.001% PS80 Sucrose/0.001% PS80 1008 (mg/ml) 54.8 55.6 Particles ≥10 μm 19.11 64.97 202.54 15.29 103.18 149.04 #/mL by MFI Particles ≥25 μm 7.64 7.64 26.75 0 15.29 15.29 #/mL by MFI Particles ≥50 μm 0 0 0 0 11.46 3.82 #/mL by MFI Total Particles #/mL 684 2538 7505 806 3565 8102 by MFI SEC (% Initial) 99.7 92.8 88.9 85.5 98.8 93.4 89.5 85.9 IEX (% Initial) 97.0 90.78 84.8 81.1 97.1 90.6 84.4 80.3 Condition 10 mM Histidine/4.5% 20 mM Histidine/4.5% Sucrose/0.1% PS80 Sucrose/0.1% PS80 1008 (mg/ml) 48.8 49.8 Particles ≥10 μm — 68.8 76.4 126 34 42 54 #/mL by MFI Particles ≥25 μm — 15.3 3.82 19.1 0 4 8 #/mL by MFI Particles ≥50 μm — 7.64 0 0 0 4 0 #/mL by MFI Total Particles #/mL — 753 2033 2782 1311 1704 1724 by MFI SEC (% Initial) 99.7 92.7 87.6 83.9 99.7 92.7 88.0 83.8 IEX (% Initial) 96.9 90.7 84.5 78.7 97.0 91.0 84.4 78.1 Condition 10 mM Histidine/9% Sucrose/0.1% 20 mM Histidine/9% PS80 Sucrose/0.1% PS80 1008 (mg/ml) 54.1 54.6 Particles ≥10 μm 22.93 42.04 68.79 64.97 72.61 80.25 #/mL by MFI Particles ≥25 μm 3.82 3.82 0 0 7.64 3.82 #/mL by MFI Particles ≥50 μm 0 0 0 0 0 3.82 #/mL by MFI Total Particles #/mL 783 1330 6111 1716 2469 3844 by MFI SEC (% Initial) 99.3 92.8 88.2 84.0 99.7 92.7 87.6 83.3 IEX (% Initial) 97.0 90.5 83.4 78.7 96.8 90.9 83.3 78.3 Condition 15 mM Histidine/6.75% 15 mM Histidine/6.75% Sucrose/0.0505% PS80 Sucrose/0.0505% PS80 1008 (mg/ml) 50.3 49.6 Particles ≥10 μm 19 46 172 31 80 114 #/mL by MFI Particles ≥25 μm 0 0 19 7.6 15.3 22.9 #/mL by MFI Particles ≥50 μm 0 0 0 0 7.6 3.8 #/mL by MFI Total Particles 1005 1788 4242 760 1823 3053 #/mL by MFI SEC (% Initial) 99.3 92.9 87.9 84.2 99.6 92.5 87.7 83.9 IEX (% Initial) 97.1 90.9 84.3 79.6 96.9 91.0 84.6 79.8

The experimental data were analyzed by Minitab. For SEC results in citrate buffer, surfactant was the major factor influencing the protein aggregation, while sucrose, interaction between sucrose and polysorbate 80, and buffer strength played less significant roles. Higher sucrose concentration and lower polysorbate 80 concentration favored the protein stability. The protein stability affected aggregation slightly and higher citrate buffer strength promoted slightly better protein stability.

For MFI results in citrate buffer, factors of sucrose and polysorbate 80 as well as interaction of sucrose and polysorbate 80 played equally significant roles in particulates formation. High sucrose and high polysorbate 80 suppressed particulates formation significantly, while buffer strength in the 10-20 mM range slightly affect the particulate formation, lower buffer strength was preferred.

The results by Minitab analysis of histidine buffer solutions showed the surfactant, polysorbate 80, was the major factor influencing the protein aggregation, while interaction between buffer strength and polysorbate 80, as well as sucrose, played less significant roles. Less polysorbate 80 favored the protein stability. Buffer strength and sucrose concentration did not appear to affect protein aggregation.

For MFI results in histidine buffer, polysorbate 80, sucrose, and interaction of sucrose and polysorbate 80 played significant roles in particulates formation. High sucrose and low polysorbate 80, and low buffer strength were preferred to suppress the particulates formation.

pH Optimization

Effects of pH on the aggregation behavior of 1008 were studied under six pH conditions (5.0, 6.0, 6.25. 6.50, 6.75 and 7.0) in 15 mM citrate buffer containing 0.1% NaCl, 6.75% sucrose and 0.05% PS80. 1008 drug substance was first exchanged into the vehicles (without PS80) of different pH using Illustra NAP-10 column (GE Healthcare). The column was first equilibrated with 15 mL of citrate buffer. Then 1 mL of 1008 DS was loaded onto the column. After the DS solution completed moved into the column, the column was washed with 2 mL of the same citrate buffer used to equilibrate the column. Collect the 2 mL solution eluted from the column in a Vivaspin 2 concentrator (10KD MWCO, GE Healthcare). The 2 mL eluted solution was then concentrated to about 1 mL using a Beckman GS-15R centrifuge at 9384 ×g and 4° C. The concentration of protein was then measured with a NanoDrop 1000 spectrophotometer. The final 1008 concentration for this study was determined to be about 70 mg/ml. PS80 was spiked into the formulations to a final target concentration of 0.05%. The kinetic turbidity assay was conducted using a PerkinElmer Lambda 35 spectrophotometer with a two-position cell holder and a water batch for temperature regulation. In a Starna submicro volume quartz cell (Starna Scientific Ltd., England) with 1 cm path-length, 250 μL of 1008 formulation or the corresponding vehicle was added. The cells were placed into the cell holder that was preheated to 55° C. Change of OD350 in the 1008 formulation was monitored for 120 minutes. The OD350 data obtained for formulations of different pH was then plotted against time for comparison.

Using the turbidity-based kinetic assay, effects of pH on the aggregation behavior of 1008 were studied with the formulations from pH 5.0 to 7.0 containing about 70 mg/ml 1008. For the turbidity assay, a sharp increase in OD₃₅₀ was associated with the major aggregation events of the protein. Thus, the difference in the incubation time required for OD₃₅₀ of each formulation to increase could reflect the different physical stability of the protein in the formulations. As shown in FIG. 1, 1008 appeared to be the most stable at pH 6.75 under the tested formulation conditions, as it had the longest incubation time before the sharp increase of OD₃₅₀. Repeated experiments with similar results confirmed that the tested formulation was most stable at pH 6.75.

Study 3

Effects of Excipients and High Active Concentrations

A half factorial study (Table 12) was performed to investigate the effects of the major formulation conditions including concentrations of protein (60-120 mg/ml), sucrose (4.5-9.0%), citrate buffer (10 to 20 mM) and polysorbate 80 (0.01-0.1%).

TABLE 12 Study design for Study 3 Polysorbate Run Center 1008 Sucrose Buffer 80 Order Point Blocks (mg/ml) (w/w %) (mM) (%) 1 1 1 60 4.5 10 0.01 2 1 1 120 4.5 10 0.1 3 1 1 60 9 10 0.1 4 1 1 120 9 10 0.01 5 1 1 60 4.5 20 0.1 6 1 1 120 4.5 20 0.01 7 1 1 60 9 20 0.01 8 1 1 120 9 20 0.1 9 0 1 90 6.75 15 0.055 10 0 1 90 6.75 15 0.055

To prepare the above formulations, a 20% citrate buffer at pH 6.5 and a 30% sucrose stock solution in 20 mM citrate buffer at pH 6.5 were first prepared. Then the citrate buffer, sucrose stock and water for injection were mixed at appropriate ratios to generate five buffers with PS80, which were 4.5% sucrose in 10 mM citrate, 9% sucrose in 10 mM citrate, 4.5% sucrose in 20 mM citrate, 9% sucrose in 20 mM citrate and 6.75% sucrose in 15 mM citrate. 1008 DS were subsequently exchanged into these five buffers using Illustra NAP-25 column (GE Healthcare) followed by concentrating with Vivaspin 6 concentrator (5 KD MWCO, GE Healthcare) at 8000 ×at 5° C. The protein concentrations in each sample were determined with a NanoDrop 2000 spectrophotometer during centrifugation. For the samples in the first four buffers, when 1008 concentration reached ˜70 mg/ml, part of the sample was removed from the concentrator and used to prepared formulations (#1, 3, 5 and 7 in Table 12) with 60 mg/ml API by adding appropriate amount of corresponding buffer and spiking in 10% PS80. The rest of the samples were concentrated further to above 130 mg/ml and then added buffer and 10% PS80 to obtain the final formulations (#2, 4, 6 and 8 in Table 12). Formulations #9 and 10 in Table 12 were prepared by concentrating the 1008 samples exchanged into buffer #5 to about 108 mg/ml and then mixed with buffer and 10% PS80 to reach the final formulation concentrations. The pH values of all the final formulations were measure and adjusted to 6.5.

A turbidity assay modified from the one described above was used as the analytical tool for evaluation. In this modified turbidity assay, a 12-cell position Cary 100 UV-Vis spectrophotometer was used. The cuvettes used in this assay were 1 mm quartz cuvettes with stoppers. In each cuvette, 300 μL of sample was added for the test. The optical density change at 360 nm was monitored for the formulations incubated at 55° C.

Effects of Excipients and High Active Concentrations

The measured 1008 concentrations and final pH of all the formulations for Study 3 are summarized in Table 13. Formulations with low, medium and high 1008 concentrations (Table 4.3.1.-1) with different sucrose, PS80 concentrations and buffer strength were incubated at 55° C. and changes in OD₃₆₀ were monitored. As shown in FIG. 2, different aggregation propensity was observed for the formulations. The two formulations almost aggregated immediately when incubation started were the formulations 2 and 6, which contained the relatively higher 1008 concentration (˜120 mg/ml) and lower sucrose concentration (4.5%). On the other hand, formulations 3 and 7, containing the relatively lower 1008 concentration (˜60 mg/ml) and higher sucrose concentration (9%), aggregated slower than other formulations. The aggregation propensity of other combinations of medium 1008 and sucrose concentrations fell in between the above two groups.

TABLE 13 Final formulation conditions for Study 3 Final 1008 Formulation Concentration Final # Excipient concentrations (mg/ml) pH 1 10 mM citrate/4.5% 58.223 6.56 sucrose/0.01% PS80 (lower) 2 10 mM citrate/4.5% 113.554 6.53 sucrose/0.1% PS80 (higher) 3 10 mM citrate/9% 59.034 6.55 sucrose/0.1% PS80 (lower) 4 10 mM citrate/9% 117.489 6.48 sucrose/0.01% PS80 (higher) 5 20 mM citrate/4.5% 58.910 6.53 sucrose/0.1% PS80 (lower) 6 20 mM citrate/4.5% 116.712 6.50 sucrose/0.01% PS80 (higher) 7 20 mM citrate/9% 57.431 6.47 sucrose/0.01% PS80 (lower) 8 20 mM citrate/9% 116.466 6.45 sucrose/0.1% PS80 (higher) 9 15 mM citrate/6.75% 87.555 6.48 sucrose/0.055% PS80 (medium) 10 15 mM citrate/6.75% 87.769 6.49 sucrose/0.055% PS80 (medium)

Using the time for OD₃₆₀ of each formulation to reach 0.25 as the criteria, the effects of different formulation factors were compared. The results suggested that sucrose had the largest impact on the aggregation of 1008, followed by API concentration. The effects of sucrose and API concentrations were opposite, indicating higher sucrose and lower API concentrations were preferred for better formulation stability. Other two factors, buffer strength and PS80 showed less effect.

Study 4

Further Study on Active and Sucrose Concentrations

Based on the results from above Study 3, Study 4 was conducted to further investigate the effects of protein concentration (60-120 mg/ml) and sucrose concentration (with a narrower range of 6 to 9%) in 15 mM citrate buffer containing 0.05% PS 80 at pH 6.50. The study design is shown in the table below.

TABLE 14 Study Design for Study 4 Run Center 1008 Sucrose Order Point Blocks (mg/ml) (w/w %) 1 1 1 60 6 2 1 1 120 6 3 1 1 60 9 4 1 1 120 9 5 −1 1 47.6 7.5 6 −1 1 132.4 7.5 7 −1 1 90 5.4 8 −1 1 90 9.6 9 0 1 90 7.5 10 0 1 90 7.5 11 0 1 90 7.5 12 0 1 90 7.5

To prepare the formulations, about 80 g of 1008 drug substance was loaded into a TFF system and then buffer exchange was conducted with 15 mM citrate buffer containing 6% sucrose at about 5 times the volume of the drug substance. After buffer exchange, the volume of the protein solution was reduced to about half of the initial volume using the TFF system. About 44 g of concentrated 1008 solution was recovered and the protein concentrated was about 112 mg/ml measured by the NanoDrop 2000 spectrophotometer. The concentrated 1008 solution was then used to prepare formulations #1, 3, 5, 7-12 by mixing with appropriate amount of 10% PS80 and 15 mM citrate buffers containing 0, 6% and/or 40% sucrose to obtain the corresponding final API, sucrose and PS80 concentrations in each of these formulations. The rest of the 1008 solution was further concentrated to about 132 mg/ml to prepare formulations #2 and 4 in the same fashion. Lastly, formulation #6 was prepared by concentrating 1008 solution to about 171 mg/ml and the concentrations of protein, sucrose and PS80 were adjusted with 10% PS80 and 15 mM citrate buffers containing 0, 6% and/or 40% sucrose. The final concentration of 1008 in each formulation was determined with the NanoDrop 2000 spectrophotometer and the pH was adjusted to 6.5.

The samples were analyzed using the turbidity assay described above. Eight selected formulations (#1-4 and #7-10) were also stored in a 40° C. exploratory incubator for 6 weeks and analyzed with MIF, IEX and SEC methods at different time points.

Twelve formulations, as listed in Table 15 were investigated.

TABLE 15 Final formulation conditions and T_(m) from the turbidity assay for Study 4 Formulation Sucrose Final 1008 Final T_(m) # Conc (mg/ml) pH (minutes) 1  6% 61.6 6.49 62.0 2  6% 122.8 6.49 27.4 3  9% 60.0 6.50 86.3 4  9% 119.0 6.51 34.2 5 7.5% 47.7 6.50 97.0 6 7.5% 134.5 6.50 24.2 7 5.38%  94.6 6.50 33.1 8 9.62%  86.2 6.50 49.4 9 7.5% 91.7 6.50 41.2 10 7.5% 89.5 6.50 44.5 11 7.5% 88.4 6.48 38.6 12 7.5% 90.1 6.52 40.0

The turbidity assay at 55° C. was used to monitor the aggregation of the formulations. As shown in FIG. 3, different degrees of aggregation were shown by the formulations under the same thermal stress. Formulations with the relatively higher 1008 and low sucrose concentrations (such as formulations # 2 and 6 in Table 15) were the ones that aggregated rapidly upon incubation. The formulations with relatively lower 1008 and high sucrose concentrations (formulations #3 and 5 in Table 15) aggregated slower than all the rest of the formulations. The curves obtained from the turbidity assay for the various formulations were fitted to a sigmoidal function. The incubation time corresponds to the middle of a transition was recorded as T_(m) (transition mid-point time) for each formulation. The results are listed in Table 15. T_(m) values against sucrose and 1008 concentrations showed the opposite effects of sucrose and 1008 concentrations on the protein aggregation.

Besides studies using the turbidity assay at 55° C., stability of eight selected formulations at 40° C. were also monitored by MFI, SEC and IEX over 6 weeks. Formulations and results are listed in Tables 16 to 23. In agreement with turbidity assay, MFI results showed that formulations with high 1008 concentration (˜120 mg/ml) formed more particles especially particles greater than 25 μm, in comparison with formulations with lower API concentrations. The MFI results didn't show clear effects of sucrose concentration for the formulations with similar amount of 1008 (formulations #7 to 10). As shown in FIG. 4, after 6-week storage at 40° C., the two formulations (#2 and 4) with the high 1008 concentration degraded the most, which the formulations with ˜60 mg/ml 1008 degraded less than all other formulations. As for formulations with ˜90 mg/ml 1008, slightly less degradation was observed at higher sucrose concentration (formulations #8) than at the lower sucrose concentration (formulation #7). IEX results showed the same trend as the SEC.

TABLE 16 Results of the accelerated stability study at 40° C. for formulation #1 from Study 4 Formulation conditions F1: 61.6 mg/ml 1008 in 15 mM citrate, 6% sucrose, 0.05% PS80, pH 6.5 Time Particulates by MFI Initial 2 week 4 week 6 week ≥10 μm, <100 μm (#/mL) 42 18 107 26 ≥25 μm, <100 μm (#/mL) 6 2 4 4 ≥50 μm, <100 μm (#/mL) 0 0 0 0 ≥2 μm, <100 μm (#/mL) 1076 656 12911 2076 SEC (% initial) 99.9 93.6 83.0 77.1 IEX (% initial) 97.7 92.8 83.2 76.8

TABLE 17 Results of the accelerated stability study at 40° C. for formulation #2 from Study 4 Formulation conditions F2: 122.8 mg/ml 1008 in 15 mM citrate, 6% sucrose, 0.05% PS80, pH 6.5 Time Particulates by MFI Initial 2 week 4 week 6 week ≥10 μm, <100 μm (#/mL) 36 8 16 32 ≥25 μm, <100 μm (#/mL) 8 2 2 2 ≥50 μm, <100 μm (#/mL) 2 2 0 0 ≥2 μm, <100 μm (#/mL) 1267 994 235 4856 SEC (% initial) 100.0 91.2 78.7 63.3 IEX (% initial) 97.8 91.0 79.1 69.3

TABLE 18 Results of the accelerated stability study at 40° C. for formulation #3 from Study 4 Formulation conditions F3: 60.0 mg/ml 1008 in 15 mM citrate, 9% sucrose, 0.05% PS80, pH 6.5 Time Particulates by MFI Initial 2 week 4 week 6 week ≥10 μm, <100 μm (#/mL) 10 22 16 28 ≥25 μm, <100 μm (#/mL) 0 0 0 2 ≥50 μm, <100 μm (#/mL) 0 0 0 0 ≥2 μm, <100 μm (#/mL) 959 782 897 2428 SEC (% initial) 100.0 94.0 84.8 77.7 IEX (% initial) 97.8 93.1 84.4 76.9

TABLE 19 Results of the accelerated stability study at 40° C. for formulation #4 from Study 4 Formulation conditions F4: 119.0 mg/ml 1008 in 15 mM citrate, 9% sucrose, 0.05% PS80, pH 6.5 Time Particulates by MFI Initial 2 week 4 week 6 week ≥10 μm, <100 μm (#/mL) 12 24 4 16 ≥25 μm, <100 μm (#/mL) 0 0 0 4 ≥50 μm, <100 μm (#/mL) 0 0 0 2 ≥2 μm, <100 μm (#/mL) 366 581 384 2659 SEC (% initial) 100.0 92.5 79.1 63.6 IEX (% initial) 97.8 92.2 81.3 69.1

TABLE 20 Results of the accelerated stability study at 40° C. for formulation #7 from Study 4 Formulation conditions F7: 94.6 mg/ml 1008 in 15 mM citrate, 5.4% sucrose, 0.05% PS80, pH 6.5 Particulates (MFI) Initial 2 week 4 week 6 week ≥10 μm, <100 μm (#/mL) 14 20 6 6 ≥25 μm, <100 μm (#/mL) 0 0 0 0 ≥50 μm, <100 μm (#/mL) 0 0 0 0 ≥2 μm, <100 μm (#/mL) 626 1647 843 2896 SEC (% initial) 100.0 93.1 82.2 70.3 IEX (% initial) 97.9 92.5 82.6 71.5

TABLE 21 Results of the accelerated stability study at 40° C. for formulation #8 from Study 4 Formulation conditions F8: 86.2 mg/ml 1008 in 15 mM citrate, 9.6% sucrose, 0.05% PS80, pH 6.5 Time Particulates by MFI Initial 2 week 4 week 6 week ≥10 μm, <100 μm (#/mL) 4 18 8 8 ≥25 μm, <100 μm (#/mL) 0 0 0 0 ≥50 μm, <100 μm (#/mL) 0 0 0 0 ≥2 μm, <100 μm (#/mL) 533 1810 1281 2162 SEC (% initial) 100.0 93.3 83.2 73.8 IEX (% initial) 97.8 93.1 83.6 73.9

TABLE 22 Results of the accelerated stability study at 40° C. for formulation #9 from Study 4 Formulation conditions F9: 91.7 mg/ml 1008 in 15 mM citrate, 7.5% sucrose, 0.05% PS80, pH 6.5 Time Particulates by MFI Initial 2 week 4 week 6 week ≥10 μm, <100 μm (#/mL) 6 20 6 28 ≥25 μm, <100 μm (#/mL) 0 0 2 0 ≥50 μm, <100 μm (#/mL) 0 0 0 0 ≥2 μm, <100 μm (#/mL) 678 682 1068 4003 SEC (% initial) 100.0 93.8 83.0 71.0 IEX (% initial) 97.8 93.2 83.7 72.2

TABLE 23 Results of the accelerated stability study at 40° C. for formulation #10 from Study 4 Formulation conditions F10: 89.5 mg/ml 1008 in 15 mM citrate, 7.5% sucrose, 0.05% PS80, pH 6.5 Time Particulates by MFI Initial 2 week 4 week 6 week ≥10 μm, <100 μm (#/mL) 18 10 22 44 ≥25 μm, <100 μm (#/mL) 0 2 4 0 ≥50 μm, <100 μm (#/mL) 0 0 0 0 ≥2 μm, <100 μm (#/mL) 352 638 1068 2536 SEC (% initial) 100.0 93.9 83.4 72.0 IEX (% initial) 97.9 93.5 83.7 72.9

EXAMPLE 3 Exploratory Stability Studies Control Formulation

Exploratory stability was performed for a formulation of 60 mg/ml 1008 solution in 20 mM citrate, 0.001% PS20 at pH 6.25 as a control. The control formulation was filtered through 0.2 um syringe filter and stored at 40° C., ambient room temperature, and refrigerator. The samples were pulled at 0, 2 and 5 weeks for 40° C. samples, and 26 weeks for samples stored at ambient room temperature and refrigerator. The selected stability samples were tested for pH, osmolality, content by A280, SEC, IEX CGE and ELISA. The results are shown in Table 24.

TABLE 24 Exploratory Stability results for Control formulation (60 mg/ml 1008 in 20 mM citrate, 0.001% PS20 at pH 6.25) Temp 40° C. RT 2-8° C. Time (week) 0 2 5 26 26 Concentration by na 62 61*  na na A280 (mg/ml) pH na 6.297   6.333 na na Osmolality na 312 310   na na SEC (% Initial) 100 90.6 75.6 88.8 99.4 IEX (% Initial) 100 91.3 70.9 88.5 99.3 CGE na 99.3 98.3 na na ELISA na na  1.0 na na *The sample was visually observed as cloudy with white precipitation.

Another study on the control formulation was performed for 60 mg/ml 1008 solution in 20 mM citrate, 0.001% PS20 and 0.73% NaCl at pH6.25. The formulation was filtered through 0.2 μm syringe filter and stored in 40° C. The samples were pulled at 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks for MFI analysis. The results are shown in Table 25.

TABLE 25 Stability results for POC formulation at 40° C. (60 mg/ml 1008 in 20 mM citrate, 0.001% PS20 at pH 6.25) Time (week) 0 1 2 3 4 ≥10 um by MFI (#/mL) na 172 894 2946 3183 ≥25 um by MFI (#/mL) na 23 157 539 1189 ≥50 um by MFI (#/mL) na 4 19 92 248 Total particles by MFI (#/mL) na 2381 8954 29716 17705 Exploratory Stability Study for 60 mg/ml 1008 with 9% Sucrose and 0.5% Polysorbate 80

Exploratory stability was performed for 60 mg/ml 1008 formulation containing 9% sucrose and 0.5% PS80. The formulation was filtered through 0.2 μm syringe filter and stored at 40° C. The samples were pulled at 1.6, 2.9 and 4 weeks and analyzed by MFI, SEC and IEX. The results are tabulated in Table 26.

TABLE 26 Stability results for 60 mg/ml 1008 formulation at 40° C. (60 mg/ml 1008 in 20 mM citrate, 9% sucrose and 0.5% PS80 at pH 6.25) Time (week) 0 1.6 2.9 4 ≥10 um by MFI (#/mL) — 12 80 130 ≥25 um by MFI (#/mL) — 4 12 12 ≥50 um by MFI (#/mL) — 0 4 0 Total particles by MFI (#/mL) — 688 2900 4876 SEC (% Initial) 98.4 93.3 88.6 84.1 IEX (% Initial) 97.0 91.3 83.9 78.9 Pilot Stability Study for 60 mg/ml 1008, 9% sucrose, 20 mM citrate, 0.1% PS80 at pH6.25

Real time stability study of 60 mg/ml 1008 solution was conducted for the formulation containing 9% sucrose, 20 mM citrate, 0.1% PS80 at pH6.25 as shown in Table 27. The stability samples were stored at 2-8° C., 25° C., 40° C. and light cabinet (LC); they also went through three cycles of freeze-thaw (FT). The samples were pulled according to the schedule shown in Table 28, and analyzed by various analytical methods such as pH, osmolality, MFI, content, SEC, IEX, CGE and potency.

TABLE 27 Composition of Pilot Stability Formulation Concentration Component (W/V %) 1008 6 Citric Acid, anhydrous 0.012 Trisodium citrate (dihydrate) 0.57 Sucrose 9 Polysorbate 80 0.1 Hydrochloric acid or Sodium hydroxide pH 6.25 Water for injection qs 100

TABLE 28 Storage Condition and Pull Schedule for Pilot Stability Study Condition Pull 2-8° C. (refrigerator) 0, 4, 6.9, 8, 12, and 26 weeks 25° C. 2, 4, 6.9, 8, 12, and 26 weeks 40° C. 1.1, 2, and 4 weeks Light cabinet (LC) 6 weeks Freeze Thaw (FT) 3 cycles

In the early stage, real time stability study of 60 mg/ml 1008 solution was initiated. The formulation contained 9% sucrose, 20 mM citrate, 0.1% PS80 at pH6.25 as shown in Table 29.

The samples were stored at 2-8° C., 25° C., 40° C. and light cabinet (LC); they also went through three cycles of freeze-thaw (FT). The samples were pulled according to the schedule shown in Table 30, and analyzed by various analytical methods. The stability results are tabulated in Tables 31-33.

TABLE 29 Composition of Pilot Stability Formulation 60 mg/ml 1008 (1008) Solution Concentration Component (W/V %) 1008 6 Citric Acid, anhydrous 0.012 Trisodium citrate (dihydrate) 0.57 Sucrose 9 Polysorbate 80 0.1 Hydrochloric acid or Sodium hydroxide pH 6.25 Water for injection qs 100

TABLE 30 Storage Condition and Pull Schedule for Pilot Stability Study Condition Pull 2-8° C. (refrigerator) 0, 4, 6.9, 8, 12, and 26 weeks 25° C. 2, 4, 6.9, 8, 12, and 26 weeks 40° C. 1.1, 2, and 4 weeks Light cabinet (LC) 6 weeks Freeze Thaw (FT) 3 cycles

TABLE 31 Results (Part 1/3) of Pilot Stability Study for 6% 1008, 9% sucrose, 20 mM citrate, 0.1% PS80 at pH 6.25 Temperature 2-8 C. Time (wk) 0 4 6.9 8 12 26 ≥10 um by MFI 31 57 134 8 19 42 (#/mL) ≥25 um by MFI 8 4 31 4 0 11 (#/mL) ≥50 um by MFI 0 0 8 0 0 4 (#/mL) Total particles by 1284 4620 6848 5916 1047 4976 MFI (#/mL) Appearance Concentration 58 64 66 (mg/ml) pH 6.197 6.184 6.184 Osmolality 349 349 356 UV 280 (mg/ml) SEC (% Initial) 100 99.5 99.4 99.9 IEX (% Initial) 100 99.3 99.3 98.9 CGE 99.83 99.7 99.5 ELISA 0.86 1.2 0.97 1.1

TABLE 32 Results (Part 2/3) of Pilot Stability Study for 6% 1008, 9% sucrose, 20 mM citrate, 0.1% PS80 at pH 6.25 Temp 25° C. Time (wk) 2 4 6.9 8 12 26 ≥10 um by MFI 46 50 206 27 38 157 (#/mL) ≥25 um by MFI 4 4 50 4 0 19 (#/mL) ≥50 um by MFI 0 0 11 0 0 0 (#/mL) Total particles by 8186 6581 8679 2553 4143 10681 MFI (#/mL) Appearance Concentration 66 75 69 (mg/ml) pH 6.209 6.198 6.196 Osmolality 356 353 350 UV 280 (mg/ml) SEC (% Initial) 99.3 98.1 95.8 95.2 93.8 86.6 IEX (% Initial) 99.8 97.2 95.0 94.2 91.5 85.7 CGE 99.6 99.7 99.6 99.3 ELISA — — — 1.1 0.92 1.1

TABLE 33 Results (Part 3/3) of Pilot Stability Study for 6% 1008, 9% sucrose, 20 mM citrate, 0.1% PS80 at pH 6.25 Temp 40° C. LC FT Time (week) 0 1.1 2 4 6 3 cycles ≥10 um by MFI 31 34 161 88 287 138 (#/mL) ≥25 um by MFI 8 4 50 15 31 19 (#/mL) ≥50 um by MFI 0 0 15 4 0 0 (#/mL) Total particles by 1284 3871 6306 29372 16081 8415 MFI (#/mL) Appearance Cloudy, yellow white precipitation observed Concentration 58 66 65 74 57 63 (mg/ml) pH 6.20 6.18 6.22 6.24 6.16 6.19 Osmolality 349 348 350 353 353 349 (mOsm/Kg) UV 280 (mg/ml) SEC (% Initial) 100 95.6 88.6 72.9 10.5 100 IEX (% Initial) 100 98.1 89.1 71.3 n/a 100 CGE 99.8 99.8 99.0 98.6 34.9 99.5 ELISA 0.86 — — 0.87 Exploratory Stability in Citrate Buffer: 60 mg/ml 1008 in 15 mm Citrate/6.75% Sucrose/0.05% PS80/pH 6.75

An exploratory stability in citrate buffer was conducted for the formulation of 60 mg/ml 1008 in 15 mM Citrate/6.75% Sucrose/0.05% PS80/pH6.75. The stability samples were stored at 5° C. and 25° C., as well as undergone freeze-thaw cycles. The samples were pulled according to the schedule shown in the table below, and analyzed for appearance, pH, osmolality, MFI, content, SEC, and IEX.

TABLE 34 Storage Condition and Pull Schedule for Interim Stability Studies Condition Pull 25° C. 0, 1, 3, 6, and 9 months  5° C. 3, 6, and 9 months Freeze Thaw (FT) 3 cycles

Similarly, exploratory stability in histidine buffer was conducted for formulation of 60 mg/ml 1008 in 15 mM histidine/6.75% Sucrose/0.05% PS80/pH6.75. The stability samples were stored at 5° C. and 25° C. The samples were also undergone freeze-thaw cycles. The samples were pulled according to the schedule shown in the table below, and analyzed for appearance, pH, osmolality, WI, content, SEC, and IEX.

TABLE 35 Storage Condition and Pull Schedule for Interim Stability Studies Condition Pull 25° C. 0, 1, 3, and 6 months  5° C. 3 and 6 months Freeze Thaw (FT) 3 cycles

The experimental data are tabulated in the tables below.

TABLE 36 Results (Part 1/2) of Interim Stability Study at 25° C. 60 mg/ml 1008 in 15 mM Citrate/6.75% Sucrose/0.05% PS80/pH 6.75 Time (Month) Initial 1 3 6 9 Particulates ≥10 um by MFI (#/mL) 28 42 49 70 ≥25 um by MFI (#/mL) 3 0 3 3 ≥50 um by MFI (#/mL) 0 0 0 0 Total particles by MFI 400 1819 2279 8355 (#/mL) ≥10 um by HIAC 218.3 (#/mL) ≥25 um by HIAC 38.7 (#/mL) ≥50 um by HIAC 7.0 (#/mL) Total particles by HIAC 11170 (#/mL) Appearance Color Color- Color- Color- Color- less less less less Clarity NMT NMT NMT NMT EP1 EP1 EP1 EP1 pH 6.74 6.72 6.76 Osmolality (mOsm) 320 SEC (% Initial) 99.9 (% 98.6 94.2 97.4 area) IEX (% Initial) 97.0 (% 98.4 94.2 91.0 89.9 area)

TABLE 37 Results (Part 2/2) of Interim Stability Study 60 mg/ml 1008 in 15 mM Citrate/6.75% Sucrose/0.05% PS80/pH 6.75 Condition 5° C. Freeze-thaw Time (Month) 3 6 9 3 cycles Particulates ≥10 um by MFI (#/mL) 56 63 24 ≥25 um by MFI (#/mL) 14 6.95 3 ≥50 um by MFI (#/mL) 0 0 0 Total particles by MFI 1092 6322 29052 (#/mL) ≥10 um by HIAC (#/mL) 441 ≥25 um by HIAC (#/mL) 67 ≥50 um by HIAC (#/mL) 18 Total particles by HIAC 27700 (#/mL) Appearance Color Color- Color- ND less less Clarity NMT NMT ND EP1 EP1 pH 6.72 — 6.71 Osmolality (mOsm) — — 306 SEC (% Initial) 99.8 99.8 99.7 IEX (% Initial) 100.0 99.4 99.9 99.5

TABLE 38 Results (Part 1/2) of Interim Stability Study at 25° C. 60 mg/ml 1008 in 15 mM Histidine/6.75% Sucrose/0.05% PS80/pH 6.75 Time (Month) Initial 1 3 6 Particulates ≥10 um by MFI (#/mL) 14 642 153 56 ≥25 um by MFI (#/mL) 3 54 14 3 ≥50 um by MFI (#/mL) 0 4 0 0 Total particles by MFI 302 20483 9805 13374 (#/mL) ≥10 um by HIAC (#/mL) 1493 ≥25 um by HIAC (#/mL) 127 ≥50 um by HIAC (#/mL) 15 Total particles by HIAC 17341 (#/mL) Appearance Color Color- Color- Color- Color- less less less less Clarity NMT NMT NMT NMT EP1 EP1 EP1 EP1 pH 6.72 6.70 6.70 Osmolality (mOsm) 286 SEC (% Initial) 99.9 (% 98.3 93.6 97.5 area) IEX (% Initial) 97.1 (% 97.9 92.5 87.8 area)

TABLE 39 Results (Part 2/2) of Interim Stability Study 60 mg/ml 1008 in 15 mM Histidine/6.75% Sucrose/0.05% PS80/pH 6.75 Condition 5° C. Freeze-thaw Time (Month) 3 6 3 cycles Particulates ≥10 um by MFI (#/mL) 167 59. 17 ≥25 um by MFI (#/mL) 10 7 0 ≥50 um by MFI (#/mL) 3 0 0 Total particles by MFI (#/mL) 17404 7368 7607 ≥10 um by HIAC (#/mL) 756 ≥25 um by HIAC (#/mL) 175 ≥50 um by HIAC (#/mL) 51 Total particles by HIAC (#/mL) 27698 Appearance Color Colorless Colorless ND Clarity NMT EP1 NMT EP1 ND pH 6.70 6.70 Osmolality (mOsm) — — 271 SEC (% Initial) 99.7 100.0 99.9 IEX (% Initial) 99.2 99.2 99.2

The experimental data indicated that the stability of the formulations tested were significantly enhanced, especially in suppressing the formation of particulate matters, comparing to that of the control formulation at a protein concentration of 60 mg/ml.

The stable solution formulation identified contained 15 mM Citrate/6.75% Sucrose/0.0505% PS80 as shown in Table 40.

TABLE 40 Concentration Concentration Range Component (W/V %) (W/V %) 1008 12  6-12 Citric Acid, anhydrous 0.009 0.006-0.012 Trisodium citrate (dihydrate) 0.428 0.285-0.57  Sucrose 6.75 6.75  Polysorbate 80 0.05% 0.05% Hydrochloric acid or pH 6.75 pH 6.75 Sodium hydroxide Water for injection qs 100 qs 100

The present invention and its embodiments have been described in detail. However, the scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of any process, manufacture, composition of matter, compounds, means, methods, and/or steps described in the specification. Various modifications, substitutions, and variations can be made to the disclosed material without departing from the spirit and/or essential characteristics of the present invention. Accordingly, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure that later modifications, substitutions, and/or variations performing substantially the same function or achieving substantially the same result as embodiments described herein may be utilized according to such related embodiments of the present invention. Thus, the following claims are intended to encompass within their scope modifications, substitutions, and variations to processes, manufactures, compositions of matter, compounds, means, methods, and/or steps disclosed herein. The claims should not be read as limited to the described order or elements unless stated to that effect. It should be understood that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An aqueous pharmaceutical composition, comprising at least 60 mg/ml of an anti-VEGF antibody that comprises the sequences of SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2, about 4.5% to 11% (w/v) sucrose, 0.006% to 0.012% (w/v) citric acid, 0.2 to 0.6 trisodium citrate dihydrate (w/v), and 0.01% to 0.1% polysorbate
 80. 2. The aqueous pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, having a pH of about 6.3 to about 7.3.
 3. The aqueous pharmaceutical composition of claim 2, wherein the pH of the composition is about 6.8.
 4. The aqueous pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the antibody comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 3. 5. The aqueous pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the concentration of the anti-VEGF antibody is about 60 mg/ml.
 6. The aqueous pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the concentration of the anti-VEGF antibody is about 120 mg/ml.
 7. A delivery device including the aqueous pharmaceutical composition of claim
 1. 8. The delivery device of claim 7, which is a pre-filled syringe.
 9. A method of delivering an anti-VEGF antibody to a subject, comprising a step of administering to the subject an aqueous pharmaceutical composition comprising at least 60 mg/ml of an anti-VEGF antibody that comprises the sequences of SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2, about 4.5% to 11% (w/v) sucrose, 0.006% to 0.012% (w/v) citric acid, 0.2 to 0.6 trisodium citrate dihydrate (w/v), and 0.01% to 0.1% polysorbate
 80. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the concentration of the anti-VEGF antibody is about 60 mg/ml.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the concentration of the anti-VEGF antibody is about 120 mg/ml.
 12. A method of treating an ocular disease or disorder, comprising administering to a subject, an aqueous pharmaceutical composition comprising at least 60 mg/ml of an anti-VEGF antibody that comprises the sequences of SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2, about 4.5% to 11% (w/v) sucrose, 0.006% to 0.012% (w/v) citric acid, 0.2 to 0.6 trisodium citrate dihydrate (w/v), and 0.01% to 0.1% polysorbate
 80. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein said ocular disease or disorder is a neovascular ocular disease.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the neovascular ocular disease is choroidal neovascularization (CNV), retinal vascular permeability, retinal edema, diabetic retinopathy (particularly proliferative diabetic retinopathy), diabetic macular edema, neovascular (exudative) age-related macular degeneration (AMD), including CNV associated with nAMD (neovascular AMD), sequela associated with retinal ischemia, Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO), or posterior segment neovascularization
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the concentration of the anti-VEGF antibody is about 60 mg/ml.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the concentration of the anti-VEGF antibody is about 120 mg/ml.
 17. A pre-filled syringe comprising an aqueous pharmaceutical composition that comprises at least 60 mg/ml of an anti-VEGF antibody that comprises the sequences of SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2, about 4.5% to 11% (w/v) sucrose, 0.006% to 0.012% (w/v) citric acid, 0.2 to 0.6 trisodium citrate dihydrate (w/v), and 0.01% to 0.1% polysorbate
 80. 18. The pre-filled syringe of claim 17, the aqueous pharmaceutical composition having a pH of about 6.3 to about 7.3.
 19. The pre-filled syringe of claim 17, wherein the antibody comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 3. 20. The pre-filled syringe of claim 17, wherein the concentration of the anti-VEGF antibody is about 60 mg/ml.
 21. The pre-filled syringe of claim 17, wherein the concentration of the anti-VEGF antibody is about 120 mg/ml. 